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WORKPLACES
Vertical Heights
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Meet Chennai's spidermen. They dangle in mid-air, scale high rises as they construct, clean, paint and decorate the concrete edifices. S. SHIVAKUMAR grounds them for a chat
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HEIGHTS OF RISK? Not really for Lakshmanan (middle) PHOTO: K. V. SRINIVASAN
Like the famed Mohawks in the United States, precariously perched outside the shiny windows of skyscrapers, a separate class of workers toils to build the high-rise buildings of the city and keep them in good shape. Though Chennai does not boast of high rises of U.S. proportions, the huge buildings that increasingly dot the city's skyline represent the feats of unknown labourers.
Working in windy heights high above the city, these anonymous workers construct, clean, paint and decorate concrete edifices, devoting more time to mid-air pursuits than on firm ground. To almost everyone, fear of heights and fear of loud noises are two natural fears. These workers are no different. They too fear heights, occasionally freezing with fright; the difference is that they deal with it better. "Don't look down, be cool," they counsel themselves.
Gazing at the massive concrete structures that make up the city's landscape gives them a special feeling. It triggers nostalgia, bringing back memories of hours spent along with hundreds of labourers to bring it to life. There is a bond with the structure for these men.
ON A HIGH: Srinu at work PHOTO: K. PICHUMANI
Srinu (35) is a mason from Pondru (Srikakulam district) in Andhra Pradesh. He has spent most of his life plastering walls from atop a makeshift platform jutting into the air at a great height.
The risk factor
Brushing aside any talk about the risk involved in his profession, he says, "It is a tough job. Every job involves risks. Most construction workers hail from my village, it runs in our blood. It is wrong to say that we do not fear heights. We take the necessary precautions and just treat it like a professional hazard."
"A tour of all the buildings in whose construction I was involved along with my wife Saraswathi was memorable. She was thrilled," he says. He dreams that his son Surya Shankar will one day become a site engineer and need not have to risk life and limb, dangling in mid-air as it were. Lakshmanan (21) from Teynampet recalls his experiences. Strapped with safety equipment, Lakshmanan was suspended with the help of a rope in mid-air along with two others to clean the façade of the majestic new complex of the Government General Hospital last week. Though this is part of the daily routine for Lakshmanan, passers-by gasped at the amazing feat. The cleaning trio moved up and down like string puppets.
Lakshmanan, a Vijayakanth fan, says that with the increase in the number of high-rise buildings, he has a busy cleaning schedule. "You overcome the fear of heights in a few days and then you start enjoying the experience."
Unique work
Describing his job as unique, he says he loves to chat with his friends suspended high above terra firma. "Mandaveli area presents a breathtaking sight from above compared to other parts of the city. There is still a lot of greenery and it is pleasant, especially at sunset," says Lakshmanan.
K. Nandagopal (32) a painter from MMDA Colony is a colourful personality, who specialises in painting high-rise buildings. He says, "I am cool about heights but the pain in my shoulder is difficult to handle, as we have to stretch to cover a wider area."
A widower, Nandagopal spends most of his money on educating his two children who are in English medium schools. "I lost my wife early and it was her dream to give my kids a good education, which I am doing now," he says.
"It requires skill to balance on scaffolding made of casuarina poles. We manage without a safety cord as it restricts our movements," he says, fully aware of the consequences, should he make a false move.
Sivakumar
Each day is a new experience for S.Sivakumar (35), an electrician from Adambakkam. "Apart from performing a balancing act, we must ensure that the equipment and tube lights do not fall while we fix them. The other risk is electric shock which could spell doom if you fall from a height," he says.
Nandagopal
"Heights don't bother me. In fact, we realise it only when some tool or bulb slips from our hand and we look down. It is then we wake up to reality. My wife is not aware of the risks. She only knows that I do electrical work. I look forward to Sundays when I say `no' to work. It is the best time to play with my son Keshav," he says.
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